When the NFL opened its season on Thursday night last week with a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions, they did something a little special during the pregame routine. Instead of playing just the standard United States national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner, the NFL also played a song commonly referred to as the “Black National Anthem,” but not everyone was happy.
Ahead of Thursday night’s game, the Kansas City Boys and Girls Choir performed the song “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” which is considered by many as the “Black National Anthem.” The song was sung throughout the Civil Rights Movement and has become and important part of Black history in America.
But conservative politician Kari Lake was not happy that it was played before Thursday night’s game.
Kari Lake, who ran for Governor of Arizona in 2022 but was soundly defeated, expressed her displeasure at the move.
I hear the @NFL is still trying to force this divisive nonsense down America's throats.
I won't stand for it. Literally.
America has only ONE National Anthem and that Anthem is color blind. https://t.co/fFSHcp7sP1
— Kari Lake (@KariLake) September 8, 2023
“I hear the @NFL is still trying to force this divisive nonsense down America’s throats. I won’t stand for it. Literally,” Lake said in her post, re-sharing a photo of her sitting during the playing of the song at the Super Bowl back in February. “America has only ONE National Anthem and that Anthem is color blind.”
It’s worth noting that despite inaccurate claims to the contrary, The Star-Spangled Banner was not replaced by “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” It was also played before the game.
